Page:Duer Miller--The charm school.djvu/168

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The Charm School


site effect to what she meant. One doesn't forget the people one is forbidden to think of. You are to be allowed to come as often as you like."

"Susie!" he cried, throwing a great deal of pleasure into his voice, and then, to his utter astonishment, he discovered that he was not nearly so glad as he had been about to declare himself. What could be the reason? He ran hastily over the possibilities and found one that would do very well. "Ah," he said, "it's almost too late, now."

"Too late?" said Susie, sharply.

"I'm not going to be in this part of the world very much longer, I'm afraid." That very morning the formal offer in writing from the directors had been accepted.

"You don't mean," said Susie, "that you are going to abandon your school?"

For the first time in his life he felt a quick, an almost domestic irritation against the ideal creature at his side.

"Well, you needn't shout about it," he said. "I have not mentioned it to any one here yet." And he turned quickly to see if Susie's words could have reached to the farther side of Mrs. Rolles.

"I didn't shout," answered Susie, crossly.

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